Independence Day

July 4th is American Independence Day, celebrating the issuance of the Declaration of Independence, which includes the famous phrase: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

I was realizing that in my life, God blessed me with several personal “independence” days. When I left my parent’s home in Albany, NY and moved across the country to Tucson, Arizona, I was declaring an independence. Many years later when I asked a friend for a Quran and then asked her to show me how to do the Contact Prayers, I was declaring independence from my Christian upbringing and all those ties to Jesus as an idol. I became truly independent. I wasn’t going to live in the same place as my parents, but much more importantly, I wasn’t going to blindly follow in their religious footsteps.

God gave me the guidance, the will and the opportunity to break free and declare independence. And then to happily and completely acknowledge my total dependence on Him. [22:15] If anyone thinks that GOD cannot support him in this life and in the Hereafter, let him turn completely

to (his Creator in) heaven, and sever (his dependence on anyone else). He will then see that this plan eliminates anything that bothers him. That’s where our allegiance lies, and that’s where our happiness lies, in the worship of God alone.

And those truths written over 200 years ago are just as applicable today. All men are created equal. The only difference is one’s level of righteousness, and that’s known only to God. God has bestowed many rights and blessings on us—life is sacred, freedom is guaranteed and we may pursue happiness in this world, though our focus should be on the Hereafter.

[17:18] Anyone who chooses this fleeting life as his priority, we will rush to him what we decide to give him, then we commit him to Gehenna, where he suffers forever, despised and defeated. [17:19] As for those who choose the Hereafter as their priority, and work righteousness, while believing, their efforts will be appreciated.

So, Happy Independence Day. It’s a gift from God.

Freedom of Choice

[33:72] We have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant.

Lydia

Be included in our email list for weekly reminders

God has blessed us with the opportunity to send weekly reminders to submitters in our email list. The weekly reminder email is not very long. It usually consists of the topic of the week, and the related Quranic verses and links to get more information . The reminder is sent every Thursday, God willing.

[51:55]  And remind, for the reminder benefits the believers.

We would like every submitter, whether receiving our newsletters or not, to be included in the list. You can join the list from: https://masjidtucson.org/current/weekly.html Or you can email info@masjidtucson.org and say that you want to be in the weekly reminder list. If you want to make it a short email, you can write “weekly reminder” in the subject line and send it.

If you also include the city and state you live in, we can compile this information and use it (God willing ) for submitters without a community who are asking to communicate with other submitters in their area.

Please help us to help you and other submitters by joining the list.

[3:200]  O you who believe, you shall be steadfast, you shall persevere, you shall be united, you shall observe GOD, that you may succeed.

[87:9]  Therefore, you shall remind; perhaps the reminder will benefit.

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